5 Differences Between Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Cars

Studies show that interest in vehicles with alternative drive systems is growing rapidly. In Germany alone, 516,518 cars with alternative drives were driven in 2021. This is almost four times as many as in the previous year (136,617 vehicles). Together with plug-in hybrids, the number of electrically powered vehicles is approaching the million mark, according to Statista.

1. The drive concept

The biggest difference between electric cars and plug-in hybrids is the drive. In the case of an electric car, the drive is purely electric, while in plug-in hybrids, a conventional combustion engine is always on board in addition to the electric motor. Hybrid cars therefore have two drive systems. The most common combination is that of a gasoline engine with an electric motor, but a diesel or natural gas vehicle is also possible.

Hybrid vehicles are available in several gradations. In a mild hybrid, an electric motor supports the combustion engine. Purely electric driving is not possible here. A full hybrid can also drive short distances, about two to five kilometers, purely electrically. Plug-in hybrid cars have a larger battery, which makes purely electric ranges of 30 to 50 kilometers possible. While the small battery of the full hybrid is only charged by the combustion engine or when braking, plug-in variants also charge at the socket or charging station, for example from Vattenfall InCharge. Once the power supply is used up, the car switches to the combustion engine.

2. The range of plug-in hybrids and electric cars

The biggest advantage of plug-in hybrid cars: the range. The combination of electric and combustion engine results in a range of usually 600 kilometres. As a rule, an EV mode (Electric Vehicle mode) can be activated with the plug-in hybrid drive. Then the vehicle drives distances of 30 to 50 kilometers purely electrically and impresses with lower fuel consumption. This makes the hybrid cars ideal for inner-city journeys. In comparison, the range of an electric car is shorter. Depending on the model, it is between 120 and 220 kilometers. In the future, these values will continue to increase.

A plug-in hybrid engine connected to a battery with a powertrain system. Photo: Getty Images/Bloomberg

3. The performance comparison

Plug-in hybrids are also ahead in terms of performance. The interaction of the two drives enables better horsepower overall and sporty intermediate sprints. An example: The E-Golf has a passable 116 hp, but the Passat GTS DSG mobilizes a system output of 218 hp. Without electricity in the battery, hybrid vehicles are normal combustion engines, which means that they can move independently of the battery's state of charge.

4. A cost overview

Plug-in hybrids usually cost more to purchase than electric cars. You have to plan around 32,000 euros for an e-Golf and about 45,000 euros for the Passat GTE DSG. The reason for this is that hybrid vehicles in Germany are usually larger station wagons up to SUVs.

And how high are the operating costs of the individual models? A comparative calculation by the ADAC from February 2020 brings clarity: According to this, for example, an e-Golf costs 43.6 cents per kilometer with around 15,000 kilometers of annual mileage. The Passat GTE DSG, the plug-in hybrid with petrol, costs 59.6 cents per kilometre. However, these figures depend on the respective car brand. For example, the all-electric Model X Performance from TESLA E-Hybrid Tiptronic S costs 120.8 cents per kilometre, while the plug-in alternative Porsche Cayenne Coupé Turbo S costs 173.8 cents.

5. The funding opportunities

Which drive performs best?

The future belongs to electric drives. More and more car manufacturers are launching electric or partially electric models on the market. So what do the differences between electric cars, full hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars say about which type of vehicle is best suited to your needs?

Hybrid vehicles score above all as plug-in hybrid cars. Mild hybrid vehicles are merely a support for the combustion engine. With a full hybrid car, you can also drive electrically, but the range is limited to a few kilometers before the combustion engine has to kick in. Plug-in hybrid cars allow a fully electric range of up to 50 kilometres. You can achieve the most comprehensive range with an electric car. This means that distances of several hundred kilometers are now possible without charging. Electric vehicles, meanwhile, cost more, but stand out from plug-in hybrid cars due to bonuses and tax breaks. In addition, the maintenance costs of electric cars are lower than those of other models.

Finally, pure electric cars have been convincing with a better environmental balance, which is mainly due to the consumption of fossil fuels by combustion engines. Unlike electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars and similar variants continue to have a combustion engine. The higher weight due to the additional battery can even increase its consumption. Meanwhile, the environmental balance of the e-car is continuously improving as the expansion of renewable energies progresses.

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